FAQ

Your Visit

The Empire State Building is fully ADA compliant. We have handicapped restrooms on the 86th Floor Observatory and also have lowered viewing walls and binoculars. Service dogs are allowed throughout the building. Motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs are permitted. The 86th Floor has ramps to make getting around easier and lowered viewing walls so that visitors in chairs can still take in the view. The 102nd Floor currently has a higher wall, but we are working to make it more accessible to all our visitors.

There is active, 24/7 security at the Empire State Building. All you will notice is the primary security screening, similar to airport security procedure. Please keep in mind you will be monitored by cameras and other means throughout your entire visit.

The items listed are not permitted in the Empire State Building. Do not carry any of these items into the security screening area. Items that are confiscated may not be returned. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure about an item, please do not bring it. Any questions and uncertainties should be referred to the Security Officers on duty.

All weapons, including firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, scissors, mace, any dangerous items and any dual-use items that could be dangerous are strictly prohibited in the Empire State Building.

Glass items, including bottles, glasses, marbles, etc.

Alcoholic beverages

Cans, bottles, flasks, etc.

Professional cameras, equipment and camera stands: mono-pods, bi-pods and tri-pods

We offer powerful binoculars to take in the unobstructed views in every direction.

There is no restaurant or concession on the observations decks, but there's a lot of food to choose from on the main concourse at the lobby level, and there is a Walgreen's at the end of the Observatory tour. Click here for a complete list of shops and restaurants at the lobby level.

There are no time limits or specified visiting windows. You should allow at least one hour for your visit, and slightly more if you will be visiting both the main deck and the top deck.

During peak visiting hours, especially in the warmer months, there may be extended waits to buy tickets and enter the elevators. You may shorten these waits by buying an express ticket online, which allows you to skip the ticket office and jump to the front of all other lines.

Partnerships, Jobs, & Events

Absolutely! We recommend proposing when our saxophonist is on the 86th Floor Observatory (Thursdays-Saturdays, 10PM–1AM). You may request your special song to help set the mood. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests to close down the Observatory for proposals.

We do not host private wedding ceremonies. However, the Empire State Building holds its annual Valentine's Day Weddings contest, where couples are selected to get married on February 14, at the world's most romantic building. Please visit our Facebook page for more information and to enter.

History & Facts

We recommend Building the Empire State by Carol Willis and Empire: A Tale of Obsession, Betrayal, and the Battle for an American Icon by Mitchell Pacelle. Also, buy our official souvenir book in the gift shop or online, filled with information and exclusive photos.

The Empire State Building is the center of the New York City and tri-state region's broadcasting operations. Its technology supports delivery of broadcasting signals to cable and satellite systems and directly to television and radio receivers reaching over 7.4 million television households, representing over 6.5% of all TV households in the U.S. Over 130 antennas provide a variety of point-to-point radio and data communications services to utility companies, telecommunications providers and public safety agencies. Read more info on our Broadcast page.

New York State's nickname is the Empire State, which led to the Empire State Building. Legend is that when Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River, he was so taken by the beauty and majesty of the area that he said, "This is the new empire."

Getting to the Empire State Building

Leave the car at home! Just in case, the closest garage is located on 33rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, across the street from the building. The Empire State Building is minutes by foot from all of midtown Manhattan.

Only CityPASS ticket holders can return for a same-day visit without paying again. All other tickets are for one-time use only. Once you exit the Observatory you will need to buy another ticket to re-enter.

*Average general admission ticket travel time from clearing security, through our two exhibits, to the 86th floor Observation Deck. Updated every 2 minutes. Express pass time to the top averages 10 minutes, regardless of general admission wait time.